Connemara Marble Saint Brigid’s Cross Pendant – S44703

Description

Connemara Marble Saint Brigid’s Cross Pendant

This beautiful sterling silver Connemara Marble Saint Brigid’s Cross Pendant  is made from Connemara marble, a unique stone that dates back over 900 million years and is known as “Ireland’s gemstone”. All of our Connemara marble is truly authentic, coming from the Joyce family mine in Connemara, County Galway, and each piece of jewelry is unique. This stunning sterling silver round pendant is surrounded by beautiful Celtic knot-work, and has been Irish hallmarked in Dublin Castle.

An 18″ Sterling Silver Rolo Chain is included along with a unique Sterling Silver  Connemara Pendant presentation box.

Connemara Marble originates from the Connemara region on the rugged west coast of Ireland. With its “forty shades of green” this 900 million year old marble produces a truly unique piece of jewelry as no two shades of this green marble are exactly the same.

History and Meaning of the Saint Brigid’s Cross

St.Brigid, also known as “Mary of the Gael” was the founder of the first Irish monastery in County Kildare, Ireland. Born in Dundalk in 450 AD, St Brigid is accredited with creating the unique cross which bears her name.

The tale as we know it is as follows….

There was an old pagan Chieftain who lay delirious on his deathbed in Kildare (some believe this was her father) and his servants summoned Brigid to his beside in the hope that the saintly woman may calm his restless spirit. Brigid is said to have sat by his bed, consoling and calming him and it is here that she picked up the rushes from the floor and began weaving them into the distinctive cross pattern. Whilst she weaved, she explained the meaning of the cross to the sick Chieftain and it is thought her calming words brought peace to his soul. He was so enamored by her words that the old Chieftain requested he be baptized as a Christian just before his passing.

Since that day, and for the centuries that followed, it has been customary on the eve of her Feast Day (1st February) for the Irish people to fashion a St. Brigid’s Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door to keep evil, fire and hunger from the homes in which it is displayed.